The group of 38, including two children aged six and eight, was trapped in 13 vehicles along Waikaia Bush Road northwest of Roxburgh on Sunday night.

A helicopter got close to the snowbound group several times but adverse weather prevented it from landing and they were eventually brought down the mountain in snowcats. The police will question the extent of planning for the group after it took nearly 24 hours to rescue them in treacherous conditions.

Thirty six people have been snowed in and spent the night in trapped in four wheel drives. Photo: SUPPLIED/whatsoninvers.nz

One of thoe volunteers involved in the rescue was Brent Wilson, of the Central Otago 4WD Club